I'm very unhappy doing the hobbies I have now, sometimes being with my friends I'm starting to feel nothing
the only thing that makes me feel a little joy is the thought that someday I'll meet someone
I've never even had a girlfriend, been close but I was too socially retarded and fucked up
If I can't find happiness through my interests, exercise, work, or hanging out with friends then I probably shouldn't even be trying to date.
What else can I try?
What am I missing?

>>33396156 (OP)
You are in the trickiest position of all. You are completely esnared. Nobody has a straight answer for this. Nobody bothers to classify every single scenario and lead it to a solid theory. Maybe in 200 years people will have the guide you need.

But you should know this. You are esnared and need to position yourself in a way you can start freeing up the knots in that net. I don't know all the knots, but one of those is Pressure. Stop trying to put pressure about being unhappy. Stop trying to justify your interests. Another knot is Criticism, stop judging people, stop judging hobbies, stop judging yourself.

This is as far as people go regarding help. The work is not done, only you will be able to see what else is hindering you from then on, the rest of the world loses interest in helping you at this step. As I said the first step is positioning yourself to not entangle yourself more, it's difficult to do as much and takes time. To some people it helps to become Buddhist, stoics, meditate, become low inhibited hedonists, etc.

What does someone who is truly free looks like? He speaks his mind, he isn't bothered by opposing opinions, he stands his ground, He is able to express his way of humoring himself, and people like him flock to his humor. It's key to know a lot of people grew up the same way so they easily flock together. A person who is different will always have a lonelier life, will feel lonely in one or other way. I guess for people like this, he should have many different friends at the same time who cater to his specific needs, and he should see himself as the coordinator of a bigger group. That's as much as can be done I guess.

>>33396218
being ensnared, putting pressure on myself and judgement all resonates
I'll start by trying not to worry so much and I guess not beating myself up for things constantly
thanks

>>33396156 (OP)
Yes

>>33396156 (OP)
Yea

>>33396156 (OP)
Yes

>>33396156 (OP)
Yes